The Democratic State Committee recently sent a mailer to Kean’s (R-Union) district attacking him over his opposition to Senate President Stephen Sweeney’s (D-Gloucester) “centerpiece” gun control bill (S2723) to overhaul how the state issues firearm ID permits.

“Tom Kean wants to keep it easier to buy guns than to buy cold medicine,” the mailer reads.

Kean voted against the bill, which would have either encoded firearms purchase permits on driver’s licenses or a separate photo ID, expanded background checks for gun purchases and required buyers to have completed a safety training course.

The mailer was referring to the lack of a photo on New Jersey firearms purchase permits. Although the permits do not have a photo, prospective buyers need to show a photo ID to obtain them.

The flyer says Kean, whose father was a famously moderate Republican governor in the 1980s, is “too extreme.”

“Send this tea party politician packing,” it says.

Kean did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The back of the Democratic State Committee's flyer.

Justin Myers, a spokesman for the Democratic State Committee, said the mailer – which was sent out last week – was the first the party has sent out targeting Republicans on gun control. Myers would not say if they planned more.

Christie conditionally vetoed Sweeney’s “centerpiece” bill, gutting its most substantial provisions. He removed the parts regarding the new ID card and background checks, saying the technology for it did not exist, and struck out the mandatory safety training, instead suggesting authorities distribute pamphlets with gun permits. But Christie left in place increased penalties for gun owners if minors access the weapon and it results in injury or death, and a provision banning ammunition possession for criminals who are not allowed to own guns.

“The state Democratic Committee is very unhappy with where we are with guns,” Myers said.

Kean is in a safely Republican legislative district. But he and Sweeney have a chilly relationship, and they have fought over the bill. Angry that Kean refused to grant him the votes necessary to put the bill on the floor for a vote in June as an emergency, Sweeney temporarily pulled all Republican bills from consideration.

Myers said the Sweeney/Kean feud was not the reason for the mailer.

No Republicans voted in favor the measure. One Democrat who faces a tough re-election battle — state Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May) — also voted against it.